KPT Development Trust has announce the completion of the first community owned micro-hydro scheme in Dumfries & Galloway thanks to an award of over £181,000 from our Green Economy Fund.
The 30kw renewable energy scheme was also awarded over £12,000 from the KPT Joint Community Benefit Fund and £400 from Naturesave and will provide the rural communities of Keir, Penpont, and Tynron with clean green energy. Income generated from the scheme will be channeled towards local improvement projects within these communities.
The scheme will also benefit locals by having interpretation boards and volunteers will be on hand to demonstrate how a hydro scheme works and the principles of green energy generation. There will be opportunities for visits from local schools and colleges, helping the region on its journey to become Net Zero by 2025.
KPT Development Trust’s micro-hydro scheme is one of Dumfries & Galloway’s most exciting community led projects, helping to improve the regions renewable energy output with innovative technology. Projects like this are paramount during our green recovery to ensure no community is left behind in the transition to renewable energy.
The micro-hydro scheme is being funded as part our £20million Green Economy Fund, which supports the Scottish Government’s ambitious plans to meet climate change targets. The fund also aims to boost local economic growth, improve air quality across the country and deliver a better future, quicker for all. Funded projects will be critical to green recovery as the UK economy recovers from the impact of Covid-19.
Maureen Halkett, Chairperson at KPT Development Trust, said: “We are delighted to announce that our community owned hydro scheme has been commissioned and is now up and running. This micro-hydro scheme will not only help to power our local communities but will also play its part in helping Dumfries & Galloway lead the charge towards becoming Net Zero. Thank you to SP Energy Networks’ Green Economy Fund, this project would not have been possible without you.”
Frank Mitchell, Chief Executive at SP Energy Networks SP Energy Networks, said: “It’s great to see that KPT Development Trust’s micro-hydro scheme has been commissioned. Our Green Economy Fund strongly believes in supporting local communities by investing directly in projects that deliver low carbon solutions and create economic benefits.
“At SP Energy Networks, we share the Scottish Government’s vision of making a cleaner, greener Scotland by accelerating our green economy in order to deliver a better future quicker for our communities.”
So far, 36 projects from from across Central and Southern Scotland have been awarded funding . To find out more about our Green Economy Fund and the projects it supports, please visit: www.spenergynetworks.co.uk/pages/green_economy_fund.aspx (opens in a new window)
